The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-16
THE SCHOOL BOARD.


That portion of the public, and fairly large
one it is, which takes sufficient interest in
the management of the public schools to keep
itself informed as to the proceedings and poll
cy of..the board of trustees, long since learned
that that body has been opposed to frank and
free discussion of its methods and measures
and inclined to regard all criticism of its acts
as an unwarranted interference. This policy
was indicated some time since by the refusal
to do away with secret sessions, but since that
reform was effected the same disposition to
keep the public in the dark is noticeable on
the part of some members of the board. AS
an instance in point, the recent correspond
ence between Mr.. Bamberger and Superin-
tendent Jones may be mentioned. The asser-
ton having been made by the Journal that
the school accomm odations were not sufficient
to meet the needs of the city, and that hun
dreds and thousands of children Of school age
were deprived of educational privileges, the
statement was made by Mr. Jones, in reply to
Mr.. Bamberger's inquiry, that mo pupils
were permanently debarred from attendance"
and that"while ampler accommodations should
be provided when the boards finances shall war
rant expenditures no such condition of affairs
exists as that indicated n the statements to
which you call my attention" The Journal
has previously pointed out the disingenuous-
ness of this correspondence, and that its
effect was to mislead the public to
fbo al of
Journals position and statements are amply
sustained by the action of the board on Fri
day night in voting for the immediate addi-
ton of four rooms to each of two school build
ings Although the finances do not warrant
such expenditure, it was decided that the
demand for additional accommodations did
not admit of delay. Evidently the investi-
eating committee did not depend entirely
upon the Interpretation of the Bamberger-
Jones letters, which it was intended should
mystify and satisfy the public. A little read
ing between the lines, or little direct
inquiry, led to the discovery that large
number of children in two districts were
deprived of school privileges. If the COM
mlIleo puISIeu SlA'CStiSoliolS AuitnoI, IL
also found that additions to other buildings
were greatly to be desired, and that new houses
could be utilized in more than one quarter Of
the city. There is no cause for any con-
cealmeut of facts in regard to these matters.
If school accommodations are insufficient and
the funds have short, nothing is gained
by the attempt to make the public believe
differently. The people have chosen eleven
men to act in their behalf in the management
of the schools, but this circumstance does not
prohibit an active interest in the methods of
these trustees by those most concerned. In
stead of growing indignant over comments
upon their proceedings and inquiries to
their future policy, the board should welcome
advice and seek for light from every quarter
Instead of assuming that they can make no
mistake, and that, because they hold the po-
sitions they do. they have a monopoly of in
formation concerning the schools, it might be
advisable for these gentlemen to adopt an at
titude more in consonance with the truth
The school trustees are estimable and intelli-
gent citizens; but they should remember, first,
that they are not infallible, and second, that,
in conducting public trust, the people have
rights which they are bound to respect.